Security guarantees: USA held meetings with Zelenskyy's office and Cabinet of Ministers
Photo: US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The United States of America has initiated discussions with the Office of the President of Ukraine and the government regarding bilateral security commitments. Two meetings have already taken place, and new ones are expected. This was announced by the US Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, according to Radio Svoboda.
"We have already started bilateral consultations with your government, with the office of the president, with government agencies, and we are discussing with them what the security commitments on our part could be. So far, there have been two rounds, and the talks will continue: the Biden administration seeks this agreement," she said in Kyiv on January 12 during a briefing.
The American diplomat noted that the White House is "very committed" to this issue.
Brink added that an official announcement may be made sometime after the agreement on the results is reached. However, she did not specify the expected timeline.
"So, I expect that we will reach the point of making an announcement, but before that, we still need to discuss everything," the ambassador stated.
At the same time, Brink noted that the United States aims to help Ukraine defend itself by providing military support and deterring Russian aggression in the future. Therefore, Washington "commits to thinking about a longer-term perspective."
"We have also taken on broad strategic commitments regarding your NATO membership. And I know that Ukrainians aspire to that, but in the meantime, there needs to be a bridge to help us support you in ensuring the security we want to provide you," she said.
In this context, she referred to the "bridge" as the security guarantees initiative for Ukraine, supported by the G7 countries at the summit in Vilnius last summer.
Security guarantees for Ukraine
In early July last year, G7 countries approved a declaration promising to provide security guarantees to Ukraine. Over 30 countries have already joined this initiative.
In addition, several countries began negotiations with Ukraine on security guarantees on a bilateral basis. Negotiations with Germany, for example, started on November 17, 2023.
It was previously reported that on December 20, the second round of negotiations on security guarantees between Ukraine and the United Kingdom took place.
Signing of the Agreement with Britain
Today, on January 12, the Prime Minister of Britain, Rishi Sunak, arrived in Kyiv for a working visit. During the visit, he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The leaders signed a historic agreement between Great Britain and Ukraine on cooperation in security.
This agreement will be in effect for 10 years. If Ukraine joins NATO during this period, the parties will adopt a separate decision on the future status of the guarantees.
For more details on what security guarantees Britain provides for Ukraine, read our material.
